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The Islamicization of the West

Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D.

GSTR 220-BWestern Traditions I

Berea College

Fall 2003

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THE PRE-ISLAMIC WEST

• Rome, once unified and in control of entire Mediterranean region, now divided between east and west (since 300s CE) and increasingly incapable of ruling vast multiethnic territory

• Independent kingdoms begin to spring up in defiance of Roman rule

• Christianity, identified with Roman power, widespread throughout west Asia, north Africa, and southern Europe

• Arab peninsula on periphery of Roman Christian world but center of East-West trade routes

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ANCIENT ROOTS OF ISLAM

• Muhammad (570-632 CE): 1. Born in Arabian city of Mecca; raised by

relatives after parents’ death2. Absorbs diverse religious influences

(Christian, Jewish, local Arab polytheism) in cosmopolitan commercial city

3. Experiences revelations from Allah (name of one Arab deity) beginning with “Night of Power” (610), later transcribed in Quran

4. As revelations continue, begins to preach monotheism, moral purity, and simplicity of lifestyle

5. Persecution leads to escape (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina (622)

6. Gaining support, returns to Mecca as conqueror (630)

7. Dies after making pilgrimage (Hajj) to sacred sites in Mecca

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WHO IS A MUSLIM?

• Muslim = from Arabic Islam, “submission”

• A Muslim is “one who submits” to one who submits” to Allah (God) through the revelation (Quran) given to humanity through His Prophet and final messenger, Muhammad

• A Muslim is anyone who can say and believe the Shahada, or “Profession of Faith”:

1. There is no God but Allah

2. Muhammad is Allah’s Prophet

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THE “FIVE PILLARS” OF ISLAM

• Shahada: profession of faith in Allah as sole deity and Muhammad as final messenger (culmination of Hebrew Bible and New Testament prophecy)

• Shalat: ritual prayer five times daily (morning, noon, afternoon, sunset, dusk) while prostrated in direction of Mecca – customarily solitary, but communal on Fridays at noon in masjid (mosque)

• Zakat: charity – a “loan to God” representing 2.5% of one’s income, donated by those 16 years and older who can afford it

• Ramadan: abstinence from food, drink, sex, stimulants during daylight hours of ninth lunar month in commemoration of the Prophet’s “Night of Power”

• Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca to be made by every Muslim at least once in a lifetime

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TENSIONS IN THE UMMAH

• After the Prophet’s death, caliphs (deputies) govern the ummah (Islamic community) in his place, combining judiciary, military, political, and religious functions

• Power struggle leads to death of fourth caliph, Ali (600-661), Muhammad’s cousin, and Husayn (626-680), Muhammad’s grandson

• Sunni (“traditional”) Muslims revere first four caliphs, emphasize Islamic unity, and see Shari’a (jurisprudence) as link between Prophet and ummah

• Shi’a (“factional”) Muslims honor Ali and Husayn as martyrs, tend toward sectarianism, and see imams (religious leaders) as link between Prophet and ummah

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ISLAMIC EXPANSION

• 634: Army of the caliph conquers Mesopotamia and Palestine

• 635: Damascus, capital of Syria, conquered

• 644: Egypt and Persia conquered

• 700s: Most of north Africa, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and India conquered by Abbasid Empire, based in Baghdad (756-1055)

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Greatest Extent of Abbasid Empire (756-1055 CE)

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LIFE UNDER ISLAMIC RULE

• Persian becomes main literary language, while Arabic becomes main theological and philosophical language

• Most formerly Christian and pagan areas become Islamic

• Islamic scholars translate and preserve Greek philosophy and science, now lost to Europeans

• Christians and Jews tolerated as Ahl al-kitāb (“People of the Book”) and therefore dhimmī (protected peoples)

• Tax (jizya) levied on non-Muslims under Islamic rule

• Men allowed to maintain up to 4 wives (Muslim or non-Muslim), provided he treats them all equally

• Women forbidden to marry non-Muslims, but may inherit property and retain control over wealth brought to marriage

• Procedures for divorce flexible and pragmatic

• Slavery restricted to non-Muslims and children of existing slaves – converts are emancipated

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